Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I have not seen a USAC national Midget race in about 10 years, since I last went to the Four Crowns at Eldora. But I feel in the mood for somthing different and plan to attend a couple shows when they come to Pennsylvania in a few weeks. I am especially looking forward to the race at Lanco, since it is so tiny and the video from last year looked amazing.

Like I said, I kind of lost touch with what was going on with the USAC national Midgets in recent years. But from doing a bunch of research online, it looks like Keith Kunz and Clauson-Marshall Racing field a combined eight cars at national point races? Besides Keith Kunz and Clauson-Marshall, I assume Brady Bacon is also running for points. How many travlers can be expected for the Pennsylvania tour?

I know driving for Keith Kunz has been a springboard to the big time in recent years for a variety of drivers, but it blows my mind that he fields five cars on the USAC national tour (I realize a couple of them are probably pay to play rides).

Is the reason the USAC National tour does not attract more teams to try and tackle the tour because teams don't feel like they have any shot at competing with the Midget super teams or more because it is a ton of travel for not a lot of reward -- $3,000 to win and $275 to start for a standard show?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and information.

I can't tell you about car counts (don't recall) but I go to 1 or 2 of them every year & they're fun! ARDC guys all come so counts are OK

& I think you answered your own question about why there aren't more teams

Thanks for the reply. I know from last year's results that ARDC supports the show and helps to fill the field. I was just curious as to whether or not there would be some surprises that would take in the week beyond the super teams, since it is possible to run four races within a relatively close proximity.

I read recently where Chad Boat is back from injury. I believe he was following the tour until he got hurt, last years Belleville winner I think. 

Midgets are awesome, but even more absurd than other forms of racing in terms of cost vs reward. 

The 5k to win Robert Bell race in Iowa the week of the Nationals is apparently the 3rd biggest winners purse in midget racing behind Belleville and the Chili Bowl.

And the Jason Leffler memorial, forgot that one.

USAC midget racing seems to be doing well these days. The days of KKR just completely dominating the series are gone. The Clauson Marshall team has caught up with them as well as the Manafort #76 Brady drives. Chad Boat has a fast car also if he can keep it on all 4 wheels. The competition in USAC is tough, but its very expensive to be that competitive. From what I've heard, a top running Toyota engine costs about $60,000.  I'm expecting KKR to have 5 or 6 cars with them, Clauson Marshall should have 3. Brady Bacon will be here in the 76 and Chad Boat should be here in the 84.

 ARDC fields have dropped for the past few years, no longer do they get full fields and its kind of sad. I don't think the smaller teams could afford some of the costly rule changes and dropped out. I think they average 15-16 cars for events these days, so with the 10 traveling cars we should see decent car counts for the 4 race series.

 Midget racing is my favorite kind of open wheel racing anymore, I don't really care for them on half miles though. Lets hope mother nature is kind to us for the Midget Week!

Going to Susky tonight for the ARDC show if its not cancelled.

A couple of years ago I saw Rico win at Path Valley. Next nite, they raced at Lincoln & at first I was thinking track is too big, I prefer bullrings. But then Rico came from way back to win. I changed my mind

 Lincoln is 3/8, right? Not so sure about half miles myself. but I think its up to track prep & quality of racers....

I saw a POWRi race at Belle Claire in Illinois last fall, think it was a 1/4, but it seemed really tiny. Race was terrific, super competitive!

Lincoln PA is a 3/8 or 4/10 depending on who you are talking to.  I've seen some great ARDC races there in the past. Its about as big of a track that I want to see midgets at.  Mother nature was kind enough to me that I got to witness 10 races in IL. and IN. in June. Most of the tracks were 1/4 miles and the racing was very exciting. It seems the midgets can put on a great show even when the track surface isn't very good.  I'm hoping Rico, Bell, or Larson can make one of the PA shows, those guys are fun to watch.

I saw a POWRi race at Belle Claire in Illinois last fall, think it was a 1/4, but it seemed really tiny.

That track is listed as 1/5 mile.

Midget racing is also good on the high banks at Pevely.

POWRi is the support class for the World of Outlaw sprints for the Ironman two-day show on Aug 4 & 5.

Unfortunately that is the same weekend as the Belleville Nationals.

It is a shame to see ARDC fall on hard times. Even coming under the USAC banner does not seem to have helped with car counts. It appears many teams and drivers have moved onto other racing divisions. Some moved to 305 or 360 sprint cars. A few others moved to a class called SpeedSTR's, developed by Richie Tobias (son of legendary Dick Tobias). They race on Wendesday nights at The Action Track in Kutztown, Pa. for $2,000 to win. The SpeedSTR is a cross between a Midget & Micro Sprint. Many teams cited the rising costs of Midget engines to run for $600 to $700 to win as a factor in abandoning the midgets. Used to love seeing ARDC run Sunday nights at Grandview Speedway. It was the perfect venue for close racing action.

There 17 ARDC midgets in the pits tonight @ Susquehanna Speedway.

Check out the tight point battle for the USAC national midget championship, that will show you how well the division is doing.  bgtex, that was fun racing at Susky on Sat. Adam Pierson was pretty impressive with that win. I can hardly wait for 2 more weeks till the Eastern midget swing. Watching wingless midgets really makes me geek out.

I know.... you're breaking my heart

I have to get to that show one of these days!

Have to stick around back East to help 94 yr. old Mom....

Yea, I'm going to at least 2 of those Pa. races. Always fun

I met the legendary Kevin Eckhart at the Lincoln race that rained out last year (?) year before?

Susky & Path, maybe Lanco (Lenco?)

Landon Simon, who is one of the top NW sprint teams here in Ohio, has a ride for the USAC PA swing. I think PA fans are familiar with him as I believe he won one of the Eastern Storm races in the past few years.

If you've ever seen the midgets at Eldora for the 4 Crown, you just hold your breath for those guys/gals. Anybody who straps themselves into a midget and flat-foots it around a fast half mile like Eldora is as tough as they come in my book. They were very fast at Lawrenceburg, but a half is just too big for them. They even used to run the mile fairground tracks - google Kory Kruseman's wild ride at the Sacremento mile years ago. I don't think anyone runs midgets on a mile track anymore.